Ozone Hole 20% Smaller Than 2003 Record Size - Reuters

[hatrack]

WELLINGTON - "A gaping hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica appears to have shrunk by about 20 percent from last year's record-breaking size, New Zealand scientists said.

The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said its measurements backed up NASA satellite data showing the hole peaked at about 9 million sq miles compared with 11 million sq miles in 2003. The ozone layer sits about 9-19 miles above the earth, filtering harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer.

Industrial chemicals containing chlorine and bromine used in refrigerators and aerosols have been blamed for thinning the layer because they attack the ozone molecules, causing them to break apart. NIWA scientist Stephen Wood cautioned against reading too much into the hole's smaller size, which he said was also influenced by natural variations.

"We need to see smaller or less severe ozone holes over a number of years before we can say for certain that ozone is recovering," he said in a statement."

EDIT

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/27493/story.htm

[Demeter]

1. Just Goes to Show How Weak the Economy Is

Closed factories don't pollute (and god knows it isn't because the EPA is enforcing meaningful pollution reduction laws!)

[Dogmudgeon]

2. The ozone hole probably "oscillates" in size

I've seen this idea discussed within the last two or three years. Can anyone comment further about it, pro or anti?

--bkl
Saepe in Dubito; Saepe in Errore
(Often in Doubt; Often in Error)

[hatrack]

3. A lot of it is temperature-specific

Along with CFC-depleting gases, the other big factor is temperature. There is some interannual variability which depends on just how cold the stratospheric temperature goes, which in turn is tied to a number of other factors.

Look to see similar wobbles up and down in the area of depletion for years to come.